Cleaning Cars Is Almost as Enjoyable as Driving Them
How do you like to take in the flowing form of a Ferrari Dino or the wedge-tastic lines of a Lotus Esprit?
Do you hold your distance and try and see the car as a whole, appreciating its completeness as its designer intended? Maybe you prefer to get up close and personal with the little finishing details? Or is the best way to cast an artistic eye over any car simply to see it motion, passing by in its natural habitat?
Obviously, I know the answer: You’re a petrolhead, so you do all this and more.
But from the moment I owned my first car, a £600 Ford Anglia 105E that I paid for with the sale of my knackered race kart, taking in the form of a car was always best done with a bucket and sponge.
The first steady job I managed to hold down as a car-mad 13-year old was washing cars at Kentish Saab. As the name suggests, this was a Saab dealer—remember them?—in Borough Green, near Sevenoaks, southeast of London in Kent. A small, independent dealership, it had a special feeling about it, where everyone seemed to be on first-name terms, in part because the Butler family that owned the business were such a personable bunch.
Every Saturday it was my job to fill up the buckets with warm soapy water, bring out the jet wash, soak the chamois leathers, attach the mangle to the wall, and then set to washing Saabs of all persuasions all day long.
From old 99s to hot 900 Turbos to new-fangled 9000s (Type Four project, anyone?) I’d diligently work my way through the backlog, sometimes getting a word of thanks from the owner, sometimes getting a ‘hurry it up’ from the sales director as he waited to appraise a potential part-exchange.
I came to appreciate the quirks and foibles of the models from Sweden’s other car company. Wraparound windscreens; clamshell bonnets; plastic side skirts; girder-like bumpers; the quirky is-it-or-isn’t-it-a-hatchback design; turbo badging. As you wiped away the dirt you came to better appreciate not only the car’s design language but the company’s values.
It’s something that stayed with me. From washing my own Anglia to cleaning thousands of test cars during decades as a motoring writer—a memory that sends a shiver down my spine, as it usually involved kitchen roll and glass spray, because you were in the middle of nowhere—running your hands over the bodywork was always a good way to see how form and function intersect. Sometimes they’d complement one another beautifully; other times it was a violent, head-on collision.
Since taking a stab at entrepreneurship and launching a new car-storage venture, I find myself returning to those days of washing Saabs. Not because a teardrop 92 or turbocharged 99 has been brought in to be cared for but because the jet wash, snow foam gun, buckets (three, since you’re asking), wash mitts, blower dryer, and drying towels are being put to work on a daily basis.
And when you have run that soapy mitten around the edges of the honeycomb-like engine cover of a Porsche Carrera GT, worked a drying towel over the rear wing of an F40—noticing how the ‘F40’ icon is only stamped into the right side wing support—or blown water away from the myriad strakes down the flanks of a late Countach, you are immersing yourself in the thinking of the designers and engineers who created these machines.
The Carrera GT has a Swiss watch vibe about it, all exacting precision and expensive componentry that is exquisitely presented. Just drying the wheels is a story in itself. The magnesium center-locking nuts are coloured ruby on the driver’s side (left) wheels and topaz for the offside. Why? Their trapezoidal thread was designed to run against the direction of travel for security. So a nut on the left couldn’t be used on the right—and any attempts by technicians to mix them up during a service would have resulted in an insurance-claim-level repair bill.
The Ferrari F40 looks and, in places, feels as though it was thrown together from boxes of bits. And in a way, it was. The car was the result of the most accelerated development program in Ferrari’s history, fueled no doubt by the strongest Italian espresso. It took just 13 months to bring Enzo Ferrari’s vision for ‘a true Ferrari’ to fruition. So the F40 has to be about function, but when that function involved creating a supercar that would be stable at 200mph, the shape and detailing were always going to scream drama.
Then there’s the Countach. What began as a bold, daring piece of modernist work that showcased the visionary talent of its designer, Marcello Gandini, would later morph into a car that was placed on life support. Chrysler-owned Lamborghini had been forced to extend the sell-by date of the Countach, so a third redesign—by Horatio Pagani—was required, resulting in the 25th Anniversary model that I recently found myself washing. In adding layers of complexity—skirts, spoilers, wheel arch extensions—the Countach lost its alien, otherworldliness that had caused such shock in 1973.
This appreciation for form and function doesn’t only happen when cleaning supercars. Wash a Mercedes E320 cabriolet and you literally feel the quality that went into those W124-era Benzes. A BMW i3 is a fascinating experiment in the future direction for the brand. A humble Fiat Pandareminds you of its ingenious simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The surfacing of an original Ford Focus speaks of a company determined to make better products.
Washing a car is probably one of those things they never think to ask in a consumer survey, but they should. Probably, in your lifetime, the simple act of cleaning a car has brought nearly as much pleasure and interest as driving it.
I love detailing. To me a day detailing in the shop is like 18 holes of golf to some people.
I really enjoy seeing the results of saving a paint job.
Also it is a way to get to know the design and styling of a car. You really get close and can see details that often get missed just by a glance.
It also is good exercise and good for resale.
We all love having our cars look great. Not all of us love the time and effort that can go into it, particularly if you own multiple cars.
To me, cleaning cars is a necessity, not so much a pleasure. I don’t loathe it, just don’t much enjoy it. I’ll do it when I have to, I’m pretty good at it and have figured out my own cleaning/detailing methodology (and product preferences) to maximize effectiveness, and minimize time and effort. If a car needs serious detailing I’ll gladly hire it done. There are several excellent local detailers whom I trust to do it right.
Have a good friend who LOVES spending hours every weekend cleaning/detailing his very nice collection of mostly British sports cars. In fairness, he drives them, too, so his cars aren’t just shiny garage queens. He calls it therapy. I give him max guff about it. Whatever, we each enjoy this great hobby in our own way. Rock on.
👍👍 I’m with you on this.
Finally, someone else who loves to clean and detail their cars. It’s a zen thing for me. No music needed, no conversation or other’s presence. I’ve learned so much about the motorcycles I own by simply getting up very close and personal to detail every part, top to bottom. Same thing with my cars. Sitting back afterwards, admiring the newly polished and gleaming body and wheels is the afterglow. I’ve come to appreciate my modes of transportation as works of art. And I’m not talking about expensive super cars or blinding fast motorcycles. My stable includes: 1940 Plymouth, 1980 Datsun ZX 2+2, 1969 and 1971 BMW motorcycles, 1980 Suzuki GS1000, 1972 Honda CL350. Each one has earned a special place in my heart and mind as we slowly connect with every detailing. As I said, Zen.
Necessary evil in my book…To each his own!
I find it zen like too. Not everyone has to like it. Some folks like steak some hamburger. Like Sone like Ford or Chevy. There is no right or wrong.
I also fine it a way to work on cars and make money vs spending money. From increased value to doing jobs for others actually brings money in vs racing where you spend $10k to win $500. Often the money made is reinvested in my cars and helps pay for my parts or for new and better cars.
I could sit around watching TV or chase a small white ball around in frustration or do a job that brings enjoyment.
Often the people that grow to hate detailing let it go so long it is major work. With what we do the clean up is much easier and more a pleasure. We may do detailing on a regular basis and also we use tools and product that makes it easier.
I tackle my mother in laws car about once a year. If my cars were in her condition I would feel the same way as others. Major paint damage and clean up is not as enjoyable.
There is a joy in cleaning your own or others’ great cars…for me, made even better with Chemical Guys products.
I used to find it Zen-like but not so much any more with my back and legs.
No room for a lift.
“Cleaning Cars Is Almost as Enjoyable as Driving Them”
Yeah, right. No.
The most enjoyable thing to do with a car is to drive it. Smash bugs with it. Go through rain in the mountains. Ocean fog along the coast. Anything but staying home and working on the car.
There is all week to get it clean so you can go out and do it again.
And will Hagerty ever explain what the “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down”. is about?
Slow down relative to what? Please?
Thanks for bringing this up. Sometimes I get that message, sometimes I don’t. Can’t tell why either way.
It appears to be about offending its members ( customers). I’ve received this happy message when responding less than 1-2 times in a month. Why they would do something so foolish is anyone’s guess. Maybe, they just want us to keep our comments to ourselves.
I don’t think that Hagerty has anything to do with it – nor can they change it. I think it’s a message pumped out by the 3rd-party vendor who hosts this site, and essentially is triggered by two or more commenters hitting the submit button simultaneously. The input is too much for the system to accept all at once (it apparently doesn’t know that it isn’t all coming from one source, so it reasons that someone is posting too quickly). Most times that I get the message, I just wait a beat or two and re-submit.
I enjoy detailing the car. I like them to always look good.
Yes, most often the finished product indicates that the juice was indeed worth the squeeze, but that don’t make the squeezing part any more pleasurable while it’s happening, IMHO. I recently paste-waxed my slab-sided ’66 GM A-body. The car looks great, but my arms have been noodle-like for two days!
during the 80s when starting out on my own, i had a mitsubishi starion & nissan 720 pickup. bought both new, detailed them weekly. life was definitely simpler & less cluttered. now, having got so much (ok, TOO much) stuff to maintain, detailing seems literally a luxury.
and you know the mindset: nobody will do the work to my standards so if i don’t do it, it ain’t getting done. yeah, this includes things as menial as washing a car. yup, shooting myself in the foot
i wash/vacuum my 35 year old ‘work’ truck MAYbe once a year. all my running vehicles are garaged so they stay cleaner longer. i have a ’63 caddy i don’t plan to wash since it has some cool but old business ad graphics. as long as whatever i’m driving gets me to my favorite diner, i’m good!
i do appreciate the results after a wash. but i’m certainly not losing any sleep being sooo excited to do the job the next day.
Cleaning the cars is a relaxation for me.
I do use the lift to do the sides and the wheels, tires, rotors and calipers. With all the new products and tools available it’s much easier and longer lasting.
Back when I started we used black shoe wax on the tires and Classic Airplane polish on the body. I considered myself way ahead of the game having the use of a car port with drainage. If I was still doing that, well I wouldn’t be doing that.
The relaxation factor is MUCH cheaper than a dozen MGDs and half a bottle of whiskey after “one of those days”.
“Probably, in your lifetime, the simple act of cleaning a car has brought nearly as much pleasure and interest as driving it.”
No – and in my 50+ years of driving, I have cleaned a lot of cars. Having it clean? Yes – but cleaning it is just annoying, for many reasons.
I see cars and they are so trashed it makes me wonder how the homes they live in look like.
I have a neighbor that I wish was gone. He never trims the grass, he mows once a month and his house looks like a total wreck. He makes good money but literally goes to work and comes home and does nothing.
I noted he had some health issues much may be due to the fact he does nothing.
They are the upper class trash neighbors. They park the new Alfa in the front yard LOL!
I learned from an old man I worked with, Duke was like a grandfather and a lot of fun. He was a retired truck driver and when he retired he kept busy.
I worked with him in his 80’s and 90’s as he pumped gas for us when I worked at the gas station back in the 80’a while in school. He did 3 days a week and worked 11 hours a day.
Did he need the money hell no. He did it to keep active and healthy. This an some family members have motivated me to not just sit around and look for things to do. I hope God grants me the health to remain active for a long time.
Duke did well and almost make 100 years till he suffered a stroke. After that he still fought on till he could not keep going.
There is enjoyment in many things even work and we just need to look for it and find the joy in our work as well play.
I love mowing grass I like doing many jobs people hate. Some are painful to do with two rotor cuffs damaged but I find a way.
Even doing the dishes to help the wife I really find no issue with it. I like a clean kitchen.
We all have different takes to life and none are right or wrong they are just what we want or expect from life. Even my neighbor Though I hate to look at the house it is his choice and if he can live like that that is all that matters.
Even the a couple weeks ago I had to move several tons of dirt by hand. I even had Covid but I went out and got it done. Sitting around was not going to make me well. Plus the second time around was not as bad. Also I could not go anyplace anyways. You can only watch so may reruns.
Interesting article. I can say, I’ve owned two of my present fleet over 20 years each and never, ever washed either one of them. I simply hop in, turn the key and drive them, with a goofy grin on my face. It probably helps that I’m far more into the signs of a live well lived than new or shiny paint. I like those too, but they don’t tell me much of a story.